22nd Feb 2010, 5:56 PM – Senate Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Bill 2010 and related bills - First Reading - Proceed without formalities

The motion that "the bills may proceed without formalities" failed to gain a majority. An equal number of MPs voted 'aye' and 'no', which means that the motion failed.

This motion is a procedural motion and, according to Odgers' Australian Senate Practice, "has the effect of suspending the requirements, otherwise imposed by the standing orders, for stages of the passage of the bill or bills to take place on different days, for notice of motions for such stages, and for the printing and certification of the bill or bills during passage".(Read the relevant part of Odgers' Australian Senate Practice here. ) Because this motion failed, the bill will have go through the usual delays provided by the standing orders.

Background to the bills

The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Bill 2010 and ten related bills were introduced to create the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. This is the third attempt to introduce this scheme.(Read about the previous attempts here. )

The scheme is an emission trading scheme designed to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in an effort to address climate change. It gives effect to Australia's obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.

The design of the scheme has been criticised by the business community for threatening jobs and by environmentalists for not going far enough with its emission reduction targets.(Read more about these criticisms here.)

The ten other bills are called:

• Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2010
• Australian Climate Change Regulatory Authority Bill 2010
• Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (Charges — Customs) Bill 2010
• Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (Charges — Excise) Bill 2010
• Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (Charges — General) Bill 2010
• Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS Fuel Credits) Bill 2010
• Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS Fuel Credits) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2010
• Excise Tariff Amendment (Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme) Bill 2010
• Customs Tariff Amendment (Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme) Bill 2010
• Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Amendment (Household Assistance) Bill 2010

References